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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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- Horse power easily outpoints the bike
Alan Magee
Horse power easily outpoints the bike
Pat Smullen and Moonbi Creek are well clear of cyclist Nicolas Roche in the Beast Vs Bike Race
© Photo Healy Racing
Pat Smullen completed a double of sorts on the evening at Leopardstown when getting the better of professional cyclist Nicolas Roche in the Beast v Bike challenge.
The two furlongs sprint up the straight at the Foxrock venue pitted Roche, cycling on the ambulance lane alongside the track, against Smullen riding the Dermot Weld-trained Moonbi Creek (finished eighth earlier in the six-furlong handicap).
Roche was allowed to build up to top speed before the two furlong pole with Smullen taking him on from a standing start but it soon proved something of a no contest.
Smullen got away briskly and was soon oozing confidence on the seven-year-old gelding, eventually winning by a wide margin hard held.
"My competitive edge came out and I got away maybe a bit too soon. I met Peter Matthews on the way in and he could have me up before the stewards!" said Smullen.
"It's for a great cause in the Childrens Hospital at Crumlin, and all the plaudits should really go to Nicolas who was set an impossible task really."
Smullen earlier partnered the Weld-trained Massinga to win the nine-furlong handicap.